Aligning device for tubing



Aug. 1949. J. E. LOEFFLER I 2,477,884

ALIGNING DEVICE FOR TUBING Filed Sept. 30, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN E. LOEFFLER INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1949. J. E. LOEFFLER 2,477,884

' ALIGNING DEVICE FOR TUBING Filed Sept. so, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. LOEFFLfiR INVEN TOR. I

JOHN

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 2,1949

ALIGNING DEVICE FOR TUBING John E. Loefiier, Houston,- Tex., assignor to Thornhill-Craver Company, Houston, Tex., a

corporation of Texas Application September 30, 1946, Serial No. 700,303

8 Claims.

This invention relates to aligning devices for tubing pairs, such as are used in oil refining apparatus, furnaces, etc., subject to high temperatures and pressures.

It is customary to connect adjacent ends of pairs of such tubing by return bend fittings establishing substantially leak-proof communication therebetween, and it is desirable to prevent movements of the tubing ends relatively to each other, as separation from or approach toward each other, twisting, or the like. This is particularly true where the return bends must be removed periodically to permit removal from the tubes of accumulated coke or like carbonaceous deposits and then replaced. One object of the present invention is the provision of a tube aligning device which will cooperate in maintaining desired tube positions with the return bend fitting, while it joins a pair of tube ends, and will prevent spreading, twisting, or other misaligning movements of the tube ends while the return bend fitting is removed from the tubing.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a return bend fitting and cooperating members, including a tube aligning device, functioning efficiently to maintain impervious and leak-proof joints with the connected tubes indefinitely and irrespective of wide variations in temperatures and pressures within the tubes, thus greatly reducing the fire and other hazards incident to the use of oil refining apparatus, etc. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of this invention, and wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts in the several views.

and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the tubes in section, substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and the aligning device and return bend fitting in elevation.

Fig. 4 is an end view of my improved aligning device.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the aligning device, taken substantially along the line 5-5 v of Fig. 4, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 6 is an elevational View, taken substantially on the line 6-45, of Fig. 7, of one of thesealing members cooperating with my improved aligning device and with the return bend, parts being broken away and shown in section, and

Fig. 7 is an end view of the sealing member shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral i0 designates a return bend member and II and I2 designate a pair of tubes adapted to be joined by return bend member ID. As herein shown, the tube II has been chamfered, at iiA, Fig. 2, and a safe-end I3 welded thereto, the safe-end member being upset at its outer extremity and undercut, as shown at I3A, to form an annular slanting walled groove in the rear face of its upset portion for cooperation with my improved aligning device, as hereinafter pointed out. The forward or end face of such upset portion on safe-end I3 is formed with an annular groove I313 for the reception of a gasket ring It, the opposed walls of groove 13B preferably sloping in opposite directions with respect to the axis of the safe-end member, substantially as shown in Fig. 2. It will be understood that it is not necessary to use a safe-end, as I3, on the tubes II or I2, as the ends of the tubes themselves may readily be upset, undercut and grooved, as desired. However, the use of safeends permits the machining, upsetting, etc., to be done in the shop to better advantage, with quick welding of safe -ends of required lengths to existing tubes already extending through and protruding from a furnace, or the like. Ready repairing of tubes from which other return bends have been cut is also possible with the use of safe-ends I3.

With the tube ends ready to receive the return bend assembly members, either because of the welding of safe-ends I3 thereon or otherwise, the aligning device is next positioned thereon. The aligning device herein shown comprises a split anchor member having separable complementary portions l5 and I6 respectively (Figs. 3-5) having their central bridge parts ISA and IGA apertured for the reception of a securing bolt I1. The end portions of both halves I5 and I6 of the anchor members are semi-cylindrical and of substantial axial length (Figs. 2 and 5) to engage and reinforce the tubes II and I2, and are machined on their inner peripheries to snugly fit against the outer peripheries of the tubes and upset portion of the safe-ends I3 when drawn together by the securing bolt 11. The forward curved edge of each semi-cylindrical end portion is machined to provide a forwardly projecting mating angle portion adapted to enter and snugly fit within the undercut annular groove 13A in the rear faces of the upset portions of the tubes respectively. When so .positioned (Fig. 2) the split anchor member halves :are locked in place on both tubes, assuring that both tube end faces are aligned in the desired relation to each other, usually in a single plane. Then when the securing bolt I1 is tightened, the semi-circular end portions of the anchor member draw the two tubes into the desired axial relation to each other, usually with their axes parallel and. in a single plane. The positioning of the anchor member upon the tubes serves to correct any existing misalignmentofthe tubes, and the correct spacing and alignment of the tubes with their centers in the proper plane is maintained as long .as the anchor members are kept tight upon the tube ends.

To aid in positioning the return bend member II! on the tubes H and IZfthe'anchor member is provided with .radial lugs T8 spaced circumferentially around each tube, substantially as shown in Fig. 4. The end walls of lugs I 8 are preferably radial, and serve'to provide a bearing surfacefor the nuts 'or securing members l9 whereby the return bend member I is forcedtoward the'tube ends when the nuts 19 are rotated. 'The legs of the return bend members IE1 are each formed with radial lugs 20 (Fig. 2.) spaced circumferentially around the periphery of the Some of these lugs are provided with verticalworking faces that slope at approximately 9 helical angle and cooperate with the similarly inclined working faces on inwardly extending lugs [9A .(Fig. 6) .circumferentially spaced around the inner periphery of each nut 19,:50 that the return bend member I0 is effectively drawn toward the tubes .II and 12 when the nuts 19 are turned. As best shown in Fig. 6, the .lugs ISAare positioned adjacent one edge of nut 19 and the second set of inwardly extending circumferentiallyspaced lugs ISB are positioned adjacent the opposite edge .of the nut. The working faces of lugs 19B are arcuate, however, andcooperate withthe arcuate-faces of lugs Won the anchor member to form bearing surfaces toward which the helical work on lugs I9A and 20-pullthe return bend in when nuts I9 areturned-through a partial revolution. The circumferential spacing of the lugs 13 and 25 on the anchor member and return bend trespectively permits the passage of nuts [.9 longitudinally thereover when the lugs [9A and 19B of the sealing -memberare positioned to pass be- 'tween lugs 18 -.or 29. Then'rotary-movementyof the nuts brings the working faces of'its'lugs into engagement with those-Ion lugs -l8.-andi-20.

-Nuts.l.9 arepartially rotated by bolts- 2 I passing through aperturesin arms IBA and NC (Fig. .1-) extending from the return bend iii and sealing .member l9 respectively. .When .theinut on bolt 21 is threade'dtoward thebolthead, the arms I I90 will .be swungnearer to arms ADA, turning the nut f9 and, throughthehelical workingiaceson someof the lugs [55 .and'iiiorcingtlze return bend I'll towar'dlthe tubes until gasketld is seated .inthe annularrgrooves in the adjacentiacesof the return bend member and tube end I 3 '(Figi2). This seating of the gaskets I' l around "each tube endis "facilitated by the anchor member, which haspreviouslybroughtthetube ends into proper aligned-positions.

The returnbendmember l-O 'may'bereauily removed whenever desired by merely loosening the nuts on bolts 2| and reversely turning nuts 18. Suitable projections I9D are provided on the nuts I9 for engagement by a suitable tool, as a hammer, should the nuts 19 become stuck from long continued usage in tightened position.

Then, after cleaning the tubes or performing any desired operation thereon, while the return bends areremoved, the same or a new return bend member Ill may be quickly installed upon the aligned tube ends. When, for example, a number of return bend members are removed to enable cleaning the entire furnace, still, or the like, on whichtheyhave been used, all return bend members may be piled together and, after cleaning, picked up at random and secured upon any pair of tubes. With my improved aligning device it is no longer necessary to carefully mark each return bend and pair of tubes .to insure return of each return bend member toits original place joining the same pair of tubes.

-As many possibleembodiments may bemade-of the invention without-departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that-all'matter herein set forth or shownin the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted asillustrative-and-not'in-a limiting sense.

Having described my 'invention, -I-c1aim:

"l. The combination with a pair of tubes and a removable return bend for "establishing communication between the interior 'of the tubes, of a tube aligning device comprising an anchor member having separable complementary portions each provided adj acent its ends "with semicylindrical seating portions adapted to embrace the tube ends respectively and an apertured bridge member connecting said seating portions, and means for drawing said complementary por- "tions toward each other against opposit sides of said-tubes with their semi-cylindrical portions embracing the 'tubes, whereby the tubes are brought into-aligned position.

2. The-combination with a pairoi tubes and a removable r-eturn =-bend -for establishing com munication between the interior .of the .tubes,

of a .tube aligning device comprising an anchor member having separable :complementary por- .tions :each zprovided adjacentitaends with .semicylindrical seating portionsadapted to embrace :the :tube e11ds mespectivlely .and an apertured .bridge member connecting :said :seating portions. .ineans ion-drawing said complementary portions toward each .cther against .opposite sides .of .said .tubes -.with their semi-:cylindrical portions rem" bracing the tubes, WhEIfibYFthBItllbES are brought intoeligned position, said means .nlso acting to secure .said :tunes .in Ltheil' aligned :positions.

3. The combination with a .pair :of ztllbes and a removable return bend for -.;establishing communicationbetween the =.interior.of the tubes, of

.a tube aligning :device comprising an anchor member having separable complementary iPortions each provided adjacent its ends with semicylindrical seating portions adapted .to embrace the tube ends .respectively and an ..apertured bridge member connecting ,said-seatingportions, and-a bolt engaging-thebridge nieznberafor drawing together and securing said anchor member portions upomthe .tuoe ends.

4. The combination with a pair of tubes :and a .removable .return .bend .for -.establisl1ing communication between the interior of the tubes,-.of .a tube aligning device .comprising .an anchor unember having separable ..con iplementary ;por-

'tions each provided adjacent its ends with semicylindrical seating portions adapted to embrace the tube ends respectively and an apertured bridge member connecting said seating portions, a bolt engaging the bridge members for drawing together and securing said anchor member pottions upon the tube ends, the semi-cylindrical portions of said anchor member being provided with spaced radial lugs for aid in securing the return bend in position connecting said tubes.

5. A tube aligning device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubes are formed with enlarged upset ends having annular undercut grooves in their rear faces and said semi-cylindrical seating portions of the anchor member are formed with mating angle shoulders on their front edges adapted to fit within said undercut grooves 6. The combination with a pair of tubes and a removable return bend for establishing communication between the interior of the tubes, of a tube aligning device comprising an anchor member having separable complementary portions each provided adjacent its ends with semicylindrical seating portions adapted to embrace the tube ends respectively and an apertured bridge member connecting said seating portions, and means for drawing said complementary portions toward each other with their semi-cylindrical ends encompassing the tubes, whereby the tubes are brought into aligned positions, said return bend having spaced radial lugs around each leg portion and said semi-cylindrical seating portions of the anchor member having spaced radial lugs therearound, and rotatable securing members having spaced inwardly directed radial lugs adapted to cooperate with said lugs on both the return bend and cylindrical seating portions for securing the return bend upon the tubes.

7. The combination with a pair of tubes and a removable return bend for establishing communication between the interior of the tubes, of a tube aligning device comprising an anchor memberrhaving separable complementary portions each provided adjacent its ends with semicylindrioal seating portions adapted to embrace the tube ends respectively and an apertured bridge member connecting said seating portions, and means for drawing said complementaryportions toward each other with their semi-cylindrical ends encompassing the tubes, whereby the tubes are brought into aligned positions, said return bend having spaced radial lugs around each 6 1 leg portion and said semi-cylindrical seating portions of the anchor member having spaced radial lugs therearound, and rotatable securing members having spaced inwardly directed radial lugs adapted to cooperate with said lugs on both the return bend and semi-cylindrical seating portions for securing the return bend upon the tubes, the ends of said tubes having enlarged upset portions with annulargrooves in their rear faces, and the forward faces of said semi-cylindrical seating portions having shoulders adapted to iii; in said annular grooves, rotary movement of said securing members to secure the return bend serving to draw said shoulders into said grooves.

8. The combination with a pair of tubes and a removable return bend for establishing communication between the interior of the tubes, of a tube aligning device comprising an anchor member having separable complementary portions each provided adjacent its ends with semicylindrical seating portions adapted to embrace the tube ends respectively and an apertured bridge member connecting said seating portions, and means for drawing said complementary portions toward each other with their semi-cylindrical ends encompassing the tubes, whereby the tubes are brought into aligned positions, said return bend having spaced radial lugs around each leg portion and said semi-cylindrical seating portions of the anchor member having spaced radial lugs therearound, and rotatable securing members having spaced inwardly directed radial lugs adapted to cooperate with said lugs on both the return bend and semi-cylindrical seating portions for securing the return bend upon the tubes, said securing members having apertured arms and said return bend having apertured arms, and bolts extending through the apertures in adjacent arms of the return bend and securing members to efiect rotary movement of the securing members when the bolts are tightened.

JOHN E. LOEFFLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 389,180 Wiggins Sept. 4, 1888 2,258,020 Laurent Oct. 7, 1941 

